Saint Joseph's College of Maine

What is the history of Saint Joseph's College of Maine?

Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a private Catholic college founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1912. It began in Portland as a college for women and later moved to its present campus in Standish. Its Mercy heritage remains part of the college's identity, while its programs now serve residential students, commuters, and online learners.

The move to Standish gave the college a lakeside campus rather than an urban setting. The subsequent development of coeducational and distance-learning programs broadened whom it serves. Applicants comparing the campus and online options should check the format of their particular program: an institution-wide program listing does not mean every degree can be completed in either setting.

What are the faculties and departments at Saint Joseph's College of Maine?

Saint Joseph's offers undergraduate and graduate study across the liberal arts, business, education, health fields, and the sciences. Nursing and education are particularly important areas for applicants to examine closely because their course sequences, field placements, and professional requirements can differ from those of a general liberal arts major.

Examples of fields represented in the college's academic offerings include biology, business administration, criminal justice, exercise science, nursing, psychology, and theology. Programs may be delivered on campus, online, or through a combination of formats; applicants should use the current academic catalog to establish the credential, delivery format, and required courses for the exact program they want. A program's presence in the college's overall catalog does not establish that it is accepting new students in every format or term.

What is the location of Saint Joseph's College of Maine?

Saint Joseph's College is in Standish, Maine, on the shore of Sebago Lake, northwest of Portland. Its setting is substantially different from a downtown college campus: students have access to outdoor space but generally need to plan transportation for off-campus errands, placements, and entertainment.

Portland is the principal nearby metropolitan area, and Portland International Jetport is the most relevant commercial airport for many travelers. Commuters and students with clinical or student-teaching assignments should consider travel time beyond the main campus. First-year students may register or park a car on campus, although parking rules and transportation needs can vary by circumstance.

What is the mission and vision of Saint Joseph's College of Maine?

Saint Joseph's describes its educational mission in terms of its Catholic identity and the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy. Service, ethical responsibility, and attention to the needs of others are recurring themes in how the college presents its purpose.

For prospective students, that identity may be visible in campus ministry, service activities, and coursework that addresses ethical questions. A religious affiliation does not, by itself, explain the requirements of every degree or the beliefs of individual students. Applicants who want to understand its academic implications should review the core curriculum and requirements for their intended major.